Esteve Model 8 'Hand-Made' Classical Guitar - Review and Description

The Esteve Model 8 Classical Guitar by Juan Hernández Esteve is currently produced entirely in Spain. According to the makers label and web site this is a 'hand-made guitar'. The Model 8 does have a superb natural classical guitar sound that is rich and deep.

The Esteve Model 8 also has that classic elegant Spanish design right down to the luscious detailing of the Rosette and pointed heel.

Structurally however, the love story ends rather abruptly, when the good looks and sweet voice fail to compensate for some required stiffness. I'm sure there is scope for a 'that's what she said' joke there somewhere ;-)

The guitar under review was brought to me for 'adjustment'. While in love with the sound and acoustic properties of the guitar, the owner had always been dissatisfied with the action and intonation of this instrument.

In the spirit of fairness - I have been informed by another Model 8 owner that his guitar was set up correctly, played and sounded great - and importantly, did not have the problems described in this article. Which is honestly a relief to hear. However, this still leaves quality control as a potential issue.

You can hear/see what a well set up and well recorded Esteve Model 8 sounds like at these links:
Darryn Santana, Tristango en Vos by Maximo DIego Pujol
Darryn Santana, Suite Magica: Vals - by Maximo Diego Pujol

I'm also sure you'd make Darryn very happy if you purchased a recording ;-)   10/08/2021 ed.

As a result I spent quite a bit of time getting to know this guitar, and even had a look inside the box (with an endoscope) to see just how well this 'hand-made' guitar was put together.

The details follow ...

  About Review and Description articles, click to expand

Note:
The Esteve Model 8 Classical Guitar can be seen listing online for around AUD $2,400 new ($1,600 on sale). Expect to pay anywhere from AUD $1,200 to $1,800 for a used one in good condition. The Model 8 is still readily available as new and also 'On Sale', which will help to keep the used price down.

Also, this instrument does not come standard with a case (in Australia) - and when you are spending in the vicinity of AUD $2K on a guitar, you will most definitely want a case!




Playing the Esteve Model 8 Classical Guitar (7/10)

As shipped the action of this instrument was on the high side and the owner also found the intonation to be unsatisfactory. Playing towards the 12th fret was cumbersome.

After some tedious bridge adjustments (explained later) and the eventual restoration of an almost normalised action, the Model 8 now plays very comfortably (for a non-cutaway guitar).

I would suggest however, that it should always have been comfortable to play, being a 'hand-made' instrument.

Due to the neck geometry, the action of the reviewed guitar is still slightly less than optimal approaching the 12th fret.

The neck feel is good and the frets were mostly properly finished.


Esteve Model 8 Sound (10/10)

This is where the Esteve Model 8 Classical Guitar really shines. The sound is really quite delicious and very well suited to recording by microphone. Which of course is the only option, as these instruments are not available ex-factory with built in tuner/electronics.

The overall tone is about as well balanced as one is ever likely to get from an acoustic instrument of this type.

The subtleties and nuance of the high notes are complemented by the richness and depth of the low notes.

The Esteve Model 8 scores a 10/10 for sound.


Build Quality / Workmanship (6/10)
Reliability ??

The external detailing and high gloss finish of the Esteve Model 8 is mostly impressive and exactly what would be expected of an instrument in this price range (see Rosette detail photo at right).

The Esteve Model 8 classical guitar being reviewed is still quite new (just a few years old). It was brought to me because, while the owner loves the look and natural tone/sound of this guitar, he was totally dissatisfied with the guitar's action and intonation as one moves towards the 12th fret.

That kind of complaint is generally not a good indicator for any 'almost new' instrument, and particularly one claiming to be hand-made. To me, that statement of 'hand-made' comes with a very substantial attached responsibility.

The supplied nut (unknown type) was summarily replaced with a natural bone nut.

The original saddle was replaced with a staggered (compensated) bone one, as generally used for steel string acoustics. This resolved some intonation issues.

It took two attempts (saddles) to get the action right (well almost). When completed this successfully improved both the intonation and action to the point where the owner now firmly believes that I have a gift - while that could very well be a good thing, it doesn't appear to be a gift for making money ;-)

Personally, I'm still not happy with the action of this Model 8 for a number of reasons, beginning with the neck itself. There is no truss rod for fine tuning, so the choice of neck timbers (Ebony reinforced African Mahogany) and construction method determine how the neck will behave under tension.

Generally speaking there should a very slight upward curve in the neck towards the nut end. Depending on the instrument this can be as little as 1mm to 2mm. This curvature exists to slightly compensate for the maximum swing amplitude of the strings at their mid-point (generally at the 12th fret). The neck on the Model 8, is essentially too flat/straight and that restricts action adjustments. If the action is lowered too much there will be fret buzz almost everywhere.

To further complicate the issue - it can take 2 days (roughly) for the neck to settle into its new state of equilibrium after even slight changes have been made to the saddle height and action. That's why the first saddle attempt became a throw-away ;-)

This also means that - any slight change in string tension, whether that be string gauge or tuning - may also effect the instrument's action. I'm sorry, but in my world, that is just not acceptable for an instrument in this price range.

Other little flaws include:

• The first fret not seated properly. The guitar was finished/polished with the fret still sitting proud.
• The first 3 frets needed to have sharp edges removed, ends sanded/buffed down.
• The internal bracing spars haven't even been sanded and the fit of the spars in some places is nothing short of horrible. I had a $200 1980's Korean made Yamaha classical guitar that had far superior workmanship on the inside.

Value for Money (6/10)

This is indeed a tough one. On the one hand, there is a beautiful looking instrument that has the classical guitar sound to die for.

On the other hand, there is a build quality that does not deserve the title of 'hand-made' guitar, nor the accompanying price-tag. As mentioned above, this may not apply to all Model 8 guitars.

Even at half the price, I would be looking elsewhere. I'm hoping that this particular guitar was one that fell through the cracks in the 'Quality Control' section at Esteve, and is not representative of their general build quality for this model. It does leave me thinking though, that I would never buy one of these unless I had played it first and carefully checked all the details for myself. Definitely not a 'buy it online' guitar.



Summary (7/10)

Having been spoilt by owning some Godin classical guitars that are very well made and play flawlessly, I'm probably more critical of the Esteve Model 8 than perhaps others might be. But seriously, I can't get past that these guitars are claimed to be 'hand-made'. If true, the quality control should simply be better.

With yet more research and a growing understanding ... yeah, that actually happens once in a while ... I note that the Model 8 is in the middle of the Esteve guitar range. That makes a few things fall in to place from a build quality perspective. The Model 8 is good, not great and still a long way from perfect. I'm assuming here that you would get 'perfect' from Esteve, at around three times the price of the Model 8 ... ouch!



Additional Notes:

Just FYI:   Quite surprisingly, I have not been able to find any meaningful specifications for the Model 8 guitar, even from the official Esteve web site. The Model 8's components (most of them and as of late 2022), are now detailed in the right hand side bar under the hero picture. The guitar did arrive in a standard sized classical guitar hard case and was an extremely snug fit, almost too large, that much I can say. While on my guitar rack, the model 8 body did appear ever so slightly larger than the Godin Presentation. If the guitar returns or I visit the owner again, I will get actual measurements (if it hasn't been sold).

Review Ratings:

• Playability - 7 / 10
• Sound - 10 / 10
• Build Quality - 6 / 10  You can only hide so much, with a glossy finish.
• Durability & Reliability - ? / 10 (Not scored)
• Value for Money - 6 /10  Expensive.
  
  
• Overall Average Score ... 7 / 10 - only because of the great sound!

Your comments and contributions are greatly appreciated!

Your Comments:



210826 - (Excellent) [USA] - Thank you for the straight forward review of the Esteve model 08 acoustic guitar. I purchased a model 08 in 2003. It is in like new condition. I paid $800 new. I had an accomplished world level concertist with me. Since I could not afford a more expensive guitar he recommended Esteve. The intonation is great and the action is right on. It is well braced and very well sanded and clean inside, as verified by a top Luthier and internally well finished. One small area where glue got away. Your article led me to appreciate the one I have more. I purchased it more for the great sound than for looks. Seems like QC got away on the model you reviewed. Now I am a fan of your site.

Editor's Note: Thankyou.
Another visitor to this site is about to try out a brand new Model 8 (also from a supplier in Perth, Australia), that is being shipped interstate for him. Hopefully he will also give a good report as to the guitar's condition and set up. Then perhaps it will be reasonable to conclude this guitar is an unfortunate aberration.


210807 - (Excellent) - Hi, I enjoyed this review. Thank you! I am looking at purchasing an Esteve, however I am a little concerned about the Build Quality. I had one question: When you adjusted the action did you eventually get good results? I have my eyes on a 10 string model that I enjoy playing, but I would like to be able to adjust the action without serious problems. thanks again!

A later addition ...
I had previously owned a model 8, bought brand new from a supplier in Perth. I was happy with the action and found it to be a decent guitar for the price before purchasing.

Editor's Note: The short answer is yes. I was able to eventually get 'good results' with respect to the action on the Esteve Model 8.
The problem that I have with that statement, is that the guitar should never have needed my intervention to only achieve a 'good action' (given its price), and that, only after considerable effort.

Regardless of which model Esteve you are thinking to acquire, if the action isn't the way it should be at time of purchase, I would not automatically assume that you will be able to meaningfully improve it (an instrument with a truss rod might be an exception) - unless you have the required skills or know someone else who has those skills and can tell you that they are confident the required changes can be successfully made. Without such reassurance, I would leave it alone. These are supposed to hand-made instruments - and what? The 'luthiers' at Esteve can't set the action properly?

I was actually pleased and relieved to hear that the Model 8 described in this article was not necessarily typical of Esteve's workmanship. Still leaves an issue of quality control. Ed.



Incept Date: Wizard - 210105
Last Update: Wizard - 240127